Watching alot of home shows, I've come to assume that the best way to tile wet areas in bathrooms is by attaching cement board to the studs and then laying tile on a thin set bed. An architect recently told me that the best way is to build your own mortar bed and not use cement board. What is the best, longest lasting, most waterproof method? Has cement board and thin set simply become the expedient solution ? Personally it seems to me that cement board would offer a manufactured quality that might be more consistent than a custom mortar bed.

Secondly, how does the above apply with respect to floors if your planning to place heating wires under the tiles ?

 

Hi Allen & welcome to the diy forums.

You'll find some old timers around I'm sure that'll still tell you that a mudbed is the only proper way to set tile. However for most diyers, cbu is a faster & easier option, that if properly done will provide a quality job and you can use the heated floor systems with either one.

 

and both need a waterproof membrane or vapor barrier.